The Masked Virtuoso-Chapter 107: The Kingdoms of the Past (Ethan and His Team Face New Dangers!)

Chapter 107: The Kingdoms of the Past (Ethan and His Team Face New Dangers!)

Kael’s True Identity (Ethan Learns Who He’s Stuck With)

After escaping the cursed cult (something Ethan refused to ever talk about again), he and Kael walked through the dimly lit streets of the village.

Ethan, still traumatized, sighed. "You know, I’ve faced some real monsters in my time... but that? That was different. That was... evil."

Kael remained silent.

Ethan glanced at him. "You’re not even gonna ask what happened?"

Kael exhaled. "I do not wish to know."

Ethan snorted. "Smart man."

As they continued walking, Ethan realized something.

Kael wasn’t just some random guy.

From the way people moved out of his path, the way villagers bowed slightly when he passed, and the way his presence carried silent authority—this guy wasn’t ordinary.

"So," Ethan started, hands behind his head. "You gonna tell me who you really are, or do I have to guess?"

Kael didn’t look at him. "I am a warrior of Solmara."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, no kidding. But you’re not just any warrior, are you?"

Kael sighed. "I am the Hand of the King."

Ethan stopped walking. "The what?"

Kael kept moving. "I serve King Aldric directly. My duty is to enforce his will across the land."

Ethan blinked. "Wait—so you’re basically the king’s personal enforcer?"

Kael nodded.

Ethan groaned. "Oh, great. I’ve been hanging out with the medieval equivalent of an FBI agent."

Kael ignored him.

Ethan sighed. "Let me guess—you’re supposed to eliminate anyone who threatens the kingdom?"

Kael didn’t answer.

Ethan smirked. "That’s a yes."

Now everything made sense.

Kael wasn’t just strong. He was a legendary warrior—one trusted with keeping the entire kingdom stable. If he was in charge of dealing with Rift-related threats...

Then that meant—

"You hunt Riftborn, don’t you?" Ethan asked casually.

Kael exhaled. "If they pose a danger."

Ethan grinned. "Well, buddy, do I have some bad news for you—"

Kael shot him a sharp look. "Do not test me."

Ethan held up his hands. "Relax. I’m just saying—you’re literally traveling with a Riftborn. You sure the king’s gonna like that?"

Kael didn’t answer.

Ethan smirked. "Yeah, that’s what I thought."

---

The World of Solmara – A Lesson in Kingdom Politics

As Ethan and Kael walked through the busy streets, Kael explained the power structure of the world.

The land was divided into four great factions, each with its own ruler, military power, and relationship with the Rift.

1. The Kingdom of Solmara (The Empire of Steel and Law)

> Ruler: King Aldric "The Unyielding"

Strongest Warrior: Kael, the Hand of the King

Primary Strength: Military dominance, discipline, and strict law

Relationship with the Rift: Sees it as a threat—anyone caught using Rift-related powers is executed or imprisoned.

Solmara was the largest and most structured empire in the land.

Ruled by King Aldric, a ruthless but brilliant strategist, Solmara prided itself on order, discipline, and absolute control.

> The people of Solmara followed a strict hierarchy—peasants, merchants, soldiers, nobles, and finally, the King.

Kael, as the Hand of the King, was the highest-ranked enforcer in the kingdom. If the king wanted someone dead, Kael was the one who made it happen.

"Solmara does not tolerate weakness," Kael explained. "Power is everything. If you cannot fight, you serve. If you cannot serve, you are discarded."

Ethan whistled. "Damn. No pressure."

Kael ignored him.

The kingdom banned all Rift-related activities. Even mentioning Rift energy could get you executed.

And yet—despite its strength—Solmara had one major problem.

> The Dominion of Valtor.

---

2. The Dominion of Valtor (The Kingdom of the Undying King)

> Ruler: King Valtor "The Eternal"

Strongest Warrior: Valtor himself—an immortal being who consumed the blood of a god

Primary Strength: Superhuman warriors, dark magic, and genetic enhancements

Relationship with the Rift: Uses forbidden rituals to enhance soldiers beyond human limits.

Valtor was once a normal king. But centuries ago, he drank the blood of a fallen god—and became immortal.

Since then, his army had grown stronger with each generation.

The Dominion’s elite warriors were known as the Valtorian Knights. They weren’t just human—they were engineered to be stronger, faster, and nearly unkillable.

Even Solmara feared them.

"Wait," Ethan said, rubbing his chin. "So, you’re telling me this guy has been alive for, what—centuries?"

Kael nodded. "No one has seen him age. He is... unnatural."

Ethan whistled. "Well, that’s terrifying."

Kael’s expression was grim. "We are at war with them. But we cannot kill what does not die."

Ethan sighed. "Y’know, I’m really starting to miss my powers."

---

3. The Northern Tribes (The Riftborn Worshippers)

> Ruler: High Chieftain Rhogar "The Wraith"

Strongest Warrior: Unknown. Every warrior possesses unique Rift-born abilities.

Primary Strength: Mystical abilities, unpredictable warfare, and fanatical devotion

Relationship with the Rift: They worship it as a gift from the gods.

Unlike Solmara and Valtor, the Northern Tribes did not seek power through war.

Instead, they embraced the Rift’s influence.

"They see the Rift as divine," Kael explained. "They believe it grants them strength. And for some... it does."

Every warrior of the Northern Tribes was touched by the Rift in some way.

Some gained inhuman strength.

Others gained enhanced senses.

A few... became something else entirely.

"Nobody knows the full extent of their abilities," Kael admitted. "Because nobody who faces them survives." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Ethan frowned. "Oh, great. Magic fanatics with god powers. That’s totally not concerning."

Kael continued. "They do not fight for conquest. They fight for the return of the Rift."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Wait. Return?"

Kael nodded. "They believe the Rift was sealed away long ago. And that one day, it will open again."

Ethan’s stomach twisted.

If the Rift was already present in this timeline, then maybe the Northern Tribes weren’t wrong.

Maybe... it was never sealed in the first place.

And if that was true...

Then history was about to repeat itself.

---

4. The Ashen Wastes (The Land of the Lost)

> Ruler: None. A land of corruption and decay.

Strongest Warrior: Unknown—only monsters roam this land.

Primary Strength: Rift corruption. Everything inside this land mutates into something... else.

Relationship with the Rift: Completely consumed by its energy.

The Ashen Wastes were a cursed land.

No one ruled them.

Because no one who entered... ever returned.

Ethan shuddered. "Alright. So, in conclusion—this whole world is a nightmare."

Kael nodded. "Correct."

Ethan sighed. "Fantastic."

---

POV Shift – Ethan’s Team Wakes Up in the North

Far from the Solmara capital—deep in the snowy lands of the Northern Tribes—Mia’s eyes snapped open.

A sharp, icy wind cut through the air, making her shiver.

She wasn’t in the Rift anymore.

She wasn’t even in her own time.

She was lying on the cold, snowy ground, surrounded by thick pine trees.

Slowly, she sat up, her instincts kicking in. She checked her surroundings.

> Orion was nearby, groaning as he sat up, his visor flickering with error messages.

Selene was on her knees, rubbing her head, clearly disoriented.

Kieran was still face-down in the snow, muttering curses.

Mia exhaled. "Alright. What the hell just happened?"

Orion tapped his visor. "We’re in the past. No Rift energy detected. No Ethan, either."

Selene’s silver eyes sharpened. "Where is he?"

Kieran groaned. "Probably enjoying a hot meal while we freeze our asses off."

Mia clenched her fists. "Dammit. How did we end up separated?"

Orion’s visor beeped. "Hold on... I’m picking up movement."

Mia turned.

Footsteps.

A group of figures approached through the snow.

Tall, armored warriors—cloaked in fur, carrying massive weapons glowing with Rift energy. Their eyes burned with unnatural light.

The Northern Tribes.

Mia tensed. "Shit. This is bad."

The lead warrior stepped forward, his piercing gaze locked onto them.

"You are outsiders," he said in a low, rumbling voice.

Mia gritted her teeth. "Yeah. What gave it away?"

The warrior’s lips curled into a cruel grin.

"You will come with us."

Kieran groaned. "Great. Kidnapped five minutes into ancient history."

Orion sighed. "This is gonna be a long day."

---

Back to Ethan (Blissfully Unaware of His Team’s Suffering)

Ethan yawned. "So, Kael. What’s next?"

Kael sighed. "You will meet the King."

Ethan blinked. "Oh. Cool. He’s not gonna kill me, right?"

Kael didn’t answer.

Ethan groaned. "Man, I hate that pause."

And so—while his team was being taken hostage by terrifying Rift-worshiping warriors—

Ethan was about to meet the most powerful man in the kingdom.

Completely unprepared.

As always.

---

To Be Continued...